Dispensing apparatus for moldable material



y 19.54 E. w. ANDERSON 2,683,284

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR MOLDABLE MATERIAL Filed April 2'7, 1951 6Sheets-Sheet l E. W. ANDERSON DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR MOLDABLE MATERIALJul 13, 1954 Filed April 27, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet EMWW mg m Q Q? n lll mm w B5 m 1 NM mNN Q mmw fin Q E 7 Q mm. 5 mm m3 7 a Q m 8 RR a I awn QR.3 t 5 y 13, 1954' E. w. ANDERSON 2,683,284

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR MOLDABLE MATERIAL Filed April 27, 1951 6Sheets-Sheet 3 1954 E. w. ANDERSON 2,683,284

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR MOLDABLE MATERIAL Filed April 27, 1951 eSheets-Shet 4 FIG .4.

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July 13, 1954 E. w. ANDERSON DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR MOLDABLE-MATERIAL6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 27, 1951 wlll.. 1

7/6 r ll/Ill!!! July 13, 1954 Filed April 2'7, 1951 E. W. ANDERSONDISPENSING APPARATUS FOR MOLDABLE MATERIAL 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 of Fig. 2bFig.- 4 a rear end view-,'-as' viewed from these leitofl igfl; I

Patented July 13, 1954 UNITED STATES PATIENT "OFFICE DISPENSINGAPPARATUS FOR .MOLDABLE MATERIAL Eric W. Anderson, Chicago, 111.,assignorito D'o'hm and Nelke, :Inc., St. L

, of-Missouri uis, .Mo., a acorn-oration Applicati0nApril27, 1951,Serial N0..223,336

24-Glaims. 1

This invention relates to dispensing apparatus for moldable material,and more particularly. ."to apparatus of this class formoldingan-ddispensing sausage meat inlinkiorm.

The invention is an improvement upon the dispensing apparatus disclosedin my copending application entitled Dispensing Apparatus for Moldablelviaterialpserial No. 177,419, filedAugust 3, 1958. said copendingapplication, I have disclosed a manually controlledapparatusparticular-ly for dispensing'slausage meat inthe form of link sausagesready for packaging without sausage casings, the apparatus being adaptedgenerally forthe dispensing of 'moldable material other than sausagemeat. The object of this invention is the improvement of the apparatusdisclosed in said copending application to provide an apparatus whichfunctions-to dispense more perfectly formed uniform-weight skinlesssausages; which acts automatically; without requiring any manual controlother than control of the rate o'i-supply of sausage meat; is adaptedreadily to be connected to a conventional sausage stutter; which isadapted,

each cycle of operation, to deliverza q'uanof sausages on a piece ofpaper to a conveyor ready for packaging, without any distortion of thesausages; which operates at a rate dependent upon the rate of supply :ofsausage meat thereto; and which .is capable, oi-a high rate ofproduction andre'liable in operation. It will be understood thattheprinciples of this invention are applicable to the dispensing. ofmolda'ole 'niaterial. in general, not being limited tothe dispensing oi-sausage meat. Othenfeatures will'be in part apparent and in partpointed out hereinafter.

invention accordingly comprises the 'elements and. combinations-ofelements, features of c traction, and arrangements of parts whichwill-be exemplified in the structures hereinafter.

deseribedand the scope of which will vbe indicated in the followingclaims.

g in the-accompanying; drawings, in 'which ione or various possibleembodiments of the inven- 2 Fig. 5- is a vertical longitudinalsection'taken substantially on line 5--5 of Fig. 1, illustrating partsinmoved positions;

-Fig. 6-is a horizontal longitudinal section taken substantially on line6-5 of Fig. 5, with parts omitted;

Fig. '-7 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section takensubstantially on line 'll of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section-takensubstantially online 8--8 of Fig. 1;

'"Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section *takensubstantially on line 9- 9 of 'Fig. '2;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section takensubstantiallyon line Ill-4G of Fig. 5, parts being omitted;

Fig. 11 is a vertical transverse section taken substantially on lineIl-ll of 'Fig. 5;

Fig. --12 is a plan View of a plunger assembly per'se; I

Fig. 13 is an end View of the plunger assembly as viewed from the leftof Fig. 12; and,

Fig. 14 is afhorizontal longitudinal section taken substantially on lineldM of Fig. '5.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, a specific embodimentor the dispensingapparatus of this invention particularly for molding and dispensing oneanother inthe mold, and extend completely through the mold from itsrearward end (its left end as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 2-;A and 5) toits forward end. Reciprocable'in each cavity is a discharge. plunger '5,for discharging a sausage molded in a cavity through itsforwarddischarge end at the forward end or" the mold. The cavities are adaptedto; be filled withsausage meat under pressure from a manifold supplychamber 9 formed in-themold adjacent its forward end, flow ofsausag-emeat from the chamber to the cavities being controlled by mold-fillingmeans comprising a head 4! which is vertically'slidable on the flatvertical forward face 13 of the mold.

As more particularly illustrated in Fig. 12, each "of the-plungers *5isformed to have a piston portionfliat its forward end having aclose'sliding'lit-in its respective "cylindrical mold cavity,

this piston portion being at the forward end of a rod portion ll whichis of reduced diameter as regards the piston portion. By having thepiston portions at the forward ends of the reduced diameter rodsections, only a minor portion of the length of each plunger is insliding engagement with the interior wall of its cavity so as to avoidsticking of the plunger in the cavity such as might otherwise occur dueto leakage of sausage meat between the plunger and the internal wall ofthe cavity. The plungers are connected together in the proper spacedparallel relation by a cross bar I9 extending across the rearward endsof their rod portions [1, with screws 2| extending through the cross barinto the ends of the rod portions.

The chamber 9 is conveniently formed as a transverse cylindrical boreextending through the mold from one side to the other above the forwardends of the cavities 3. One end of the chamber 9 (the end seen in Fig.2) is closed by a plug 23. At 25 is shown a T-fitting which has areduced extension 2'! at one end of its head poriton 29 rotary in acounterbore 3! in the other end of the chamber 9. The other and outerend of the head portion 29 of the T-fitting is closed by a plug 33, onwhich the head portion is rotary. The plugs 23 and 33 are tied togetherby a rod 35 extending axially through the chamber. A length of tubing orpipe 31 forming a rigid conduit has one end soldered in the stem 39 ofthe T-fitting, the pipe thereby extending radially from the head portionof the fitting. On the other end of the pipe is a universal-joint-typecoupling generally designated 4|. of a ball segment 43 on the end of thepipe, and a fitting 155 having a ball-socket 41 at one end by means ofwhich the fitting 25 can partake of universal movement on the segment43, the fitting being internally screw threaded at its other end asindicated at 69 for connection to the outlet (indicated in dotted lines)of the cock (not shown) of a conventional air pressure operated sausagestufifer (also not shown). The sausage stufier is of a type which isadapted. to discharge sausage meat at high pressure through the cock,and thence through the pipe 3?, and is not particularly described hereinas such machines are well-known in the art. With the T- fitting and pipeor conduit 3'! adapted to swivel r around the axis of the chamber 9, andwith the universal-joint-type coupling at the end of the conduit, thedispensing apparatus of this invention is adapted to be mounted ontables at dinerent elevations relative to the stufiing machine, withoutimposing any difi'iculty in the way of making the connection between thestuffing machine and the chamber 9. Also, the construction is such thatthe T-fitting may be used at either end of the chamber 9. Two elongatehorizontal slots open from the chamber 3 through the forward face !3 ofthe mold, providing discharge ports from the chamber.

The head H consists of a plate guided for vertical sliding movement onthe forward face oi the mold by side guides 53 formed integrally withthe mold, and held in the guides in sealing relation against the forwardface of the mold by rollers 55 located between the sideguides. As shown,each of these rollers is rotary on a shaft 5! the ends of which areeccentrically mounted in bushings 59 which are rotary in the side guides53, whereby the rollers may be adjusted to maintain pressure engagementwith the head, H as wear occurs. In the face of the head ll toward Thisconsists i the mold face I3 is a valve cavity 6|, making the head aD-valve, the vertical dimension of the valve cavity corresponding to thevertical spacing of the slots or ports 5| and the mold cavities 3. Asshown in Fig. 3, the distance from the outer end of one slot 5! to theouter end of the other is somewhat less than the widthwise distancebetween two outermost mold cavities 3, and the cavity 6| widens indownward direction to the widthwise spacing of the two outermost moldcavities, The head or valve member 15 movable between the raisedretracted position shown in Fig. 5 wherein the discharge ends of themold cavities 3 are completely unblocked, and wherein the slots 5| areblocked by the lower end portion of the member H, and the loweredmold-filling position shown in Figs. 2 and 2-A wherein it not onlycloses the discharge ends of the mold cavities but also establishescommunication from the chamber 9 through the slots 5| and the valvecavity 61 to the discharge ends of all six mold cavities 3.

A carriage '53 is guided for reciprocation toward and away from the rearend of the mold in axial direction as regards the cavities 3 and thep1ungers 5 by a pair of guide bars each of which is designated 65. Theseguide bars are fixed at their forward ends to the top of the mold, andextend rearward from the mold in spaced parallel relation in a generallyhorizontal plane. At their rearward ends, the bars 65 are fixed to ahorizontal cross frame member 6! which is secured in position betweentwo vertical pedestals 69 for holding a roll R of suitable packagingpaper, such as parchment paper. The pedestals have bearings ll at theirupper ends for journalling a roll-holding shaft 13 with its axis abovethe level of and transverse to the axes of cavities 3. On the shaft 73are spacers 15 for centering the roll R. The pedestals are carried bylegs H, which are vertically adjustable in sleeves ii? at the lower endsof the pedestals. Set screws 8! are provided to hold the legs inadjusted position. Legs ii are so adjusted in relation to the base forthe apparatus and to a U-shaped mold support 82 that the apparatus ismounted with the cavities generally horizontal.

The carriage 63 is slidable on the bars 65 in a horizontal plane, andlongitudinally as regards the cavities and the plungers, between aretracted position and the advanced position illustrated in Fig. 5. Theretracted position of the carriage is determined by its engagement withan adjustably positioned stop comprising a nut 83 adjustably threaded ona threaded portion 65 of a rod 8! which extends longitudinally of theapparatus between the bars 55 and through an opening in the carriage. Aspring detent for holding the nut in adjusted position is indicated at88. The forward end of the rod 8! is fixed in a block 8Q which has asliding fit between the bars 55 on the top of the mold, and which isadapted for longitudinal sliding movement on the top of the mold; Thebars 55 restrain the block from sidewise movement, and the block is helddown by a transverse bridge member 9! extending transversely across thetop of the block and fastened at its ends to the bars. The rearward endof the rod 8! is slidable in an opening 93 in the cross frame member 61.Fixed to the top of the block 89 forward of the bridge member 9| is ameat expansion control element, generally designated 95. This has a baseportion 91 fixed to the top of the sliding on the top of the chamberportion of the mold, andan upwardly-extending cam finger. I'QI at theforward end of the arm 99 having a rearwardly facing cam edge I63 whichhas a slight forward and upward incline, ending in a more inclined camedge I65. Rearwardmovement of the block 89 and the meat expansionelement 95 thereon is limited by theengagement of the rearward end ofthe base portion 9'! of the meat expansion element 95 with a stop screwI6? adjustably threaded in the bridge .member GI and locked inpositionby a lock nut 199.

An'abutment I I I is carried by and beneath the carriage forrockingmovementon a transverse axis. The abutment extends upward, fromits pivot, and is biased to rock in a clockwise directionas viewed inFigs..2, .2-A and by a compression spring H3 lodged in aspring recess H5in the carriage. The abutment has a slot II'6 to accommodate theheads ofthe screws 2i. The plungers 5 are generally of exactly the same lengthasthe cavities 3,-as measured from the forward face of the cross bar 19 tothe forward ends of :thepiston portions I5 of the plungers. Theadvancedposition of the carriage -'E3 is determined by engagement of theabutment III with the cross bar I9, and the engagementof the cross barI9 with the rearward end of the mold I. In this advanced position, theforward end faces of the plungers 5 are at the forward face I3'of themold (see Fig. 5)

The mold has integral vertical side members I-Il. Above the mold isahorizontal platform I I8. Thishas side extensions H9 at its rearward endfixed to the pedestals 69, and legs Iiii at its forward end fixed to themold side members II'I. A-pair of bracket arms I23 extend down from thesidesof the platform rearward of the mold. A shaft I25 has its endsfixed in the lower ends of these arms -i-Z3. Rotary on this shaft is asleeve I21. Formed integrally with thesleeve and extending generallyradially from its ends are lever arms I29and 53! (see particularly Figs.2, LA, .5 and I I). Arm I 29 is on the side-of the apparatus viewed inFigs. 2 and 2-A, and arrn i3! is on the other side. short,extends'generally radially from the sleeve If! just to one side of thecenter of length of the sleeve toward the forward end of the apparatusand carries a cam follower roller 35 at its free end. The lower ends ofthe arms I29 and I3I are connected to the carriageby links I3? and I39,respectively. lhe arm I29 carries a cam follower roller It! on theoutside (see Figs. 2, 2-A, and 11).' he lever arms I29 and I3I are.biased to swing in clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 2 and 2-A byatension spring Hi3 connected atone end to the arm I29 near its lowerend, and connected at its other end in a hole I in a spring tensionadjusting member hi5 (see Figs. 1 and 2). Member his is pivoted at Ml onthe side of the platform H8, and has an arcuate slot M5 at its otherend. A screw I'5I extending through this slot into the side of theplatform holds the member M5 in various positions of angular adjustment.provided along the length of the member M5 to allow for connection ofthe upper end of the spring I43 at various points to obtain variousspring tensions. Itwill be seen that a wide varia tion of spring tensionis allowed by reason of the member M5 being 'angularly adjustable and byreason of the provision of the holes I.

li cam shaft I is journalled in bearings I55 in 'the mold side members.I=I 'I.' On this shaft is fixed-a sleeve I5] provided with acarriage-ad- An arm I33, this being relatively A number'of holes I'Mare.

vancing cam I59, acarriage-retract'ing cam 1E3 and a pair of duplicatecams I63 for operating the head or slide valve II. A pair of slide valveoperating levers E65 are pivoted on a transverse shaft I6! which isfixed at its ends in the mold side members Ill. Levers IE5, at theirforward ends, carry a roller I69 which fits inan opening I'Ii in thevalve head member II. LeversxtBS, at their rearward ends on the otherside 'ofthe pivot from the roller I69, are forked-as indicated at I73,and have upper and lower cam follower rollers Ii'E and I 2?,respectively, on the arms of the forks. The carriage-advancing. cam I 59is engageable with the cam follower roller I35 on the arm 33. Thecarriage-retracting cam ritBI .is engageable with the cam followerroller I-4I .on

the arm i129. The duplicate slide valve operating cams W3 are engageablewith the cam follower rollers Elli and [TI to operate levers I65. LeversI55 carry a roller I19 engageable behind the cam edge 33 of the fingerIll].

The cam shaft E55 is adapted to be drivenfby a power-operated drive,including a one-revolution ciuch mechanism to be described, in clock-.

wise direction as viewed in Figs. 2, 2-A and 5. ihe cams I59, lei andI53 are so developed and phased as to effect reciprocation of thecarriagefi3 through one complete cycle consisting :of ai E3, theplungers 5, the lever arms I 29 and I3 I,'the' levers 55 and the slidevalve I I atabout the midrevolution position of the cams (the end of aforward or advancing stroke of the carriage) it will be seen that theforward ends of theplungers ii are at the forward face 53 of the moldLand the slide valve ii is lifted so that the forward endsof thecavities 3 in the mold are open. i'he carriageadvancing cam I59 has arise ldi, and this rise is just riding out of engagement with the camfollower roller 35. She rise IiiI is followed by a sharp drop 583, toallow for retraction of the carriage during the interval in which thecam is rotating through the angle from the trailing end of the rise 53%to the leading end of the rise idl. carriage-return cam Edi has a riseE35 whichis about to come into engagement with the cam follower rollerIt! on the lever arm I29. The camiidi has a sharp drop I37. Each slidevalve actuating cam Edit has .a rise I89 and a 1 drop iQI, and. eachrise ltd is about to come into engagement with the upper cam followerrollers l'i and about to rock the levers V55 clockwise as illustrated in5, thereby to drive the slide valve 1 i downward to its lowered positionwhere-' in it closes the open ends of the cavitie'sin the" mold andestablishes communication. from the chamber 9 to the cavities. I

Asthe cams continue to rotate from their mi cyle position shown in-F'g.5, the rise I of the carriage-return cam it! comes into engagement withthe cam follower roller i lI on the lever arm 1 concurrently with theinitiation of the return of the carriage, the rise portion I89 of theslide valve actuatingcams I63 engage the upper -fol-' lower rollers I15,and swing the levers I95 clockwise as viewed in Fig. 5, thereby actingto drive the slide valve II downward to its lowered position illustratedin Figs. 2 and 2A, wherein the slide valve II closes the open ends ofthe cavities 3 in the mold, and establishes communication from thechamber 9 through the cavity 5! to these ends of the cavities so thatmeat flows from the chamber into the cavities. The spring I43 effects aquick retraction of the carriage. Following the retraction of thecarriage, as the cam shaft continues rotation, the rise portions I89 ofthe slide valve actuating cams I53 ride off the upper follower rollersI15, and then come into engagement with the lower follower rollers I11.This rocks the levers I65 counterclockwise from their position shown inFigs. 2 and 2-A, and this raises the slide valve II to its liftedposition as illustrated in Fig. 5. A tension spring I93 (see Figs. 2 and3) has one end connected to the levers I85 and its other end connectedto the platform H3 as indicated at I95, to bias the levers 565 to rockin counterclockwise direction, thereby to provide a positive forcetending to hold the slide valve II in its lifted position.

When the levers I are in their slide valve lowering position of Figs. 2and 2-A, the roller H9 is in a lowered position engaging the cam edgeI93 on the member 95. This holds the member 95, the block 89, the rod 8?and the stop 83 in a forward position. As the levers r85 rockcounterclockwise from their Fig. 2 position, the roller I79 is raisedfrom behind the finger IGI, thereby releasing the member 95 to enablethe member 95, block 89, the rod 8? and the stop 83 to move rearward atleast to the extent permitted by the stop screw I97.

The drive for the cam shaft includes an electric motor 29! carried bythe platform. The shaft of the motor is coupled to the input shaft of aspeed reducer 293 also mounted on a platform. On the output shaft 235 ofthe speed reducer is a sprocket 2%. Rotary on one end of the cam shaftI55 is a sprocket and ratchet assembly, the sprocket of this assemblybeing designated 289 and the ratchet being designated 2| I. Thisassembly can rotate freely on the cam shaft. An endless chain Zlt istrained around the sprockets 2t! and 209. of this invention is beingused, the motor is constantly energized and the sprocket-ratchetassembly is continuously driven. A manual motor switch is indicated at 2I5.

The ratchet 2 is an element of the onerevolution clutch mechanismpreviously referred to. This one-revolution clutch mechanism furtherincludes a disk 2!? fixed to the cam shaft and positioned at the innerside of the ratchet 2I I. This disk has a projecting lobe 2I9 carrying apivot 22I for a pawl 223. The pivot extends outward from the lobe inaxial direction and is positioned radially outward of the periphcry ofthe ratchet. The pawl is disposed peripherally with respect to theratchet Eli and is biased toward engagement with the ratchet by acompression spring 225 lodged in a spring recess 22'! in the disk. Afinger 229 projects from the inner side of the pawl inward past thedisk. This finger is adapted to engage a pawl lifting element 23I at theend of a lever arm 233 mounted for swinging movement on a vertical axisunder the platform. As best illustrated in Figs. 1, 7 and 8, the leverarm 233 is carried by a stud 235, rotary in a vertical bear- While theapparatus ing 231 in a wall of a housing 239 secured to the bottom ofthe platform H8. A lever arm 2M is secured to the upper end of the studwithin the housing. This extends generally at right angles to the leverarm 233. Lever arms 2M and 233 are biased to rock counterclockwise asviewed in Fig. 1 by a compression spring 243 interposed between anabutment 2% formed as a part of the wall of the housing and. an abutmenton the lever arm 2M. Within the housing is a solenoid 2 31 having aplunger 249 linked as indicated at 25I to the end of the lever arm 24I,arranged to swing arm 2-H clockwise against the bias of the spring 243when the solenoid is energized.

When the solenoid 241 is deenergized, the spring 243 holds the lever arm233 in a position wherein element 231 is interposed in the path of thefinger 229. Element 23I is so formed as to lift the pawl 223 out ofengagement with the ratchet 2H when the finger, rotating around with thedisk, comes into engagement therewith (see Fig. 8). When the solenoid 2Mis energized, the lever arms 2 1i and 233 are rocked clockwise as viewedin Fig. 1 against the bias of spring 243. This has the effect ofretracting the element 23I from the path of the finger 229, whereuponthe pawl 223 is released for engagement with the ratchet 2H. Thereupcnthe ratchet (which it will be remembered is continuously rotating) actsthrough the pawl to drive the disk and this rotates the cam shaftclockwise as viewed in Figs. 2 and Z-A. Upon the completion of onerevolution or the disk, assuming that the solenoid has meanwhile beendeenergized so that lever 233 is released for return by the spring 253to the position wherein element 23! is in the path of the finger 229,the finger engages the element 23I, and is thereby lifted out ofengagement with the ratchet, whereupon rotation of the disk and the camshaft is arrested.

The solenoid 24'! is connected in a circuit ineluding a momentarycontact switch 253 carried by the carriage 63. A flexible wiringconnection between the switch and the solenoid is indicated at 255. Thisconnection is long enough to permit full movement of the carriage. Theswitch has an operating button 25? projecting from its case in thedirection toward the mold I. This button is adapted for engagement by ascrew 259 threaded in an arm 26! which projects from one corner of thecross bar it. The switch is normally open, and is closed when the screwdepresses the operating button.

Figs. 2 and 2-A illustrate the above described parts in the positionthey occupy just prior to the completion of the molding of sausages inthe mold cavities 3. The slide valve ii is in its lowered positionwherein communication is established from the chamber 9 through theslots 5i and the cavity 6i to the forward ends of the cavities. Theroller lid is in engagement with the cam edge I93 on the rearward sideof the finger tilt, and is holding the member 95, the block 89, the rodSi and the stop nut 83 in forward position. Finger 22s on the pawl 223is in engagement with the element 23! as indicated in Fig. 8, and thecam shaft is at rest in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 2-A whereinthe rise portions I89 of the slide valve actuating cams I53 are ininitial engagement with the lower cam follower rollers Ill, and the riseIt! of the carriage-advancing cam I59 is in posit on approachingengagement with the cam follower roller I35. Carriage 63 is held back inretracted position against the'stop' nut 83 by the action of the springI43. The carriageretracting cam IGI' is in such position clear of thecarn follower roller I4I as to allow for forward movement of thecarriagefrom its retracted position. Sausage meat (not shown) has entered thecavities 3 from the'chamber 9 through the slots 5i and the cavity 6|,having entered the cavities 3 through their forward ends, and the meathas push-ed back the plungers 5 to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 2-Awherein the switch-actuating screw 259 is in initial engagement with thebutton of the switch 253, but has not yet pushed in the button. Uponaslight further rearward movement of the plungers 5, the screw operatesthebutton of the switch, and the solenoid 2d? is-ene'r gizede- Thisswings the levers 2M and 233 clockwise as viewed in Fig. 1, and retractsthe pawl-- control. element 231 from the finger 22 9. Thereuponthe pawl:223 pivoted by the pawl spring 225 into engagement. withthe ratchet 2H,and, upon engagement. of the pawl with the ratchet, the ratchet drivesthe disk 2H and the cam shaft I55 on which the disk iszfixedin-clockwise directionas viewed in Figs. 2 and 2-A. As the cam shaft,rotates, the rise portions I85 of the slide valve actuating: camslfifinengageathe lower: rollers I11, and ro'ck'the levers I65counterclockwise as viewed'in; Figs. 2 and Z-Al This raises. theslidevalve I"I-, opening the-forward ends of the cavities 3. This opening,however, does not occur. until after the roller H3 has. moved up: frombehind the-finger, 1:61;, thereby freeing the rod 8''! for rearwardmovement: The pressure. of the :meat. in the cavities thereupon movesthe plungers rearward to allow for expansion of the meat in thecavities; with release of pressure.- It will be noted that whentheroller I19 moves upward-from behindthefinger, NH, and thus releases:the-rod 1W2, the eifect is to allow the stop: screw 8r3- to moverearward. This permits the carriage 63- to move somewhat fur-- ther.rearward; and ccnsecpiently permits theplungers tomove rearward. Thisaction-occursas the slide valve :is "being, moved upward and as itpasses through an intermediate position. in which it bothcuts off: flowof meat t'cr'the cavities and also blocks their forward ends. This is,important because in-order to allow? for release of pressure in; thecavities-the meat there in must not be subject to the pressure ,in-thechamber 9. It will be understood that themold cavities 3 areblockedoflifrom the" chamber 9 when. the bottom edge of the cavity M is raisedabove the upper. levekof the mold cavities 13, and theforwardnendsqofthe cavities: are. notwun' blocked until the lower edge-262 of. the valve 51- completely clears the. cavities. This-allowancefor meat expansion before the cavities are opened, tarelieve. thepressure, is. of utmost importance becauser-if the cavities. are openedwithout. relievingthe. pressure, meat is. forced out. and forms anobjectionable. bulbousend on each. sausage,

The cam shaft continuing torotate, the rise I8I- ofthe.carriageea-dvancing cam I59 comes intoengagement with the camfollowerroller 35. Thisswings the lever-armsfls and Isicounterclockwise-fromtheir positions-shown in- Figs; 2 and 2 -A' and pulls "the carriage. 53'for-'- ward. As the carriage is pulled. forward, it pushes the plungers5 forward so-that; they eject: the bodies of meat from the mold cavities3 through the -forward-ends of these: cavities;

iii

which are now open, the slide valve II having been raised. Anintermediate position of the plungers is shown in dotted, lines in Fig.2-A. The carriage moves forward to the position shown in Fig. 5, and theplungers are driven forward to the position where their forward ends aresubstantially coplanar with the flat forward face I3 of the mold I. Atthis time, the cam shaft I55 and the cams thereon have rotated through180 from their position shown in Fig. 2.

As the cam shaft and earns continue to rotate clockwise from the Fig. 5position, the rise I of the carriage-retracting cam I 9! comes intoengagement Wtih the cam follower roller Il on the lever arm I29, andthis swings the lever arms I29 and HI clockwise from the. position shownin Fig. 5 and thereby initiates the retracting movement of the carriage.After; the carriage has been retracted to the extent consistent with thedevelopment of the cam, and the tension of the spring I43, the springtakes, over and completes the return movement of the. carriage. As thecarriage returns to its retracted position, it moves the switch 253 awayfrom the switch-operating screw 259, and the switch opens. Thisdeenergizes the solenoid 247, where upon the spring 243 returns thelever 233 carrying the pawl-control element 2'3I- to its operativeposition for engagement by the finger 229. The

plungers 5 remain in the position shown in Fig. 5. When the cam shafthas completed one revolution, the finger 229 engages the element 23!,whereupon rotation of the cam shaft'is arrested as previously described.

The apparatus includes means for feeding the end of a strip of paper Pfrom the roll R. under the sausages being ejected by plungers 5' fromthe cavities 3' into position to receive thesausages, and for cuttingoff the end of the paper strip upon each sausage-ejecting operation.Asshown, this means comprises a platen 27 carried by the carriage I53for reciprocation in a horizontal plane spaced somewhat below the bottomof the mold I. Theplaten is slightly narrower than the transversespacing of the pedestals 69 and of such length and fixed to the carriagein such position that when the carriage is in its advanced position(Fig. 5), the forward end of-the platen is closely adjacent the forwardend of the caivities 3 and the rearward end of the platen is between thepedestals. At the forward end, the platen has side extensions 213. Thesecarry an apron. 275 extending forward from the platen, with a space: 2'"between the forward end of the platen and; the rearward end of the apronaccommodating a knife 279 mounted tomove upward from a retractedpositionbelow the platen through the space 2H" to cut on the paper inconjunction with a horizon tal blade ZBI fixed to and spaced above theplaten.

The platen Z'His fixed to the bottom edges of depending side flanges28.3 of the carriage as so as to provide a paper passage 285 between thecarriage and the platen (see Figs. 9 and 14). The flanges 283 also serveas'side guides for the paper; The pivots by means of which links is? andI39 are coupled to the carriage are indicated at 286'. The rockingabutment Ii I. previously referred to is pivotally mounted by means ofpivot pins 25;? fixed in the side flanges. The'abutment is formedjwithrearwardly' extending clamp. arms 288. At. the rearward free ends ofthese arms: are bolts 231' having heads 2933' below the arms providedwith resilient paper-gripping pads 295. The paper P feeds off the roll Raround a guide roll 29'! mounted at its ends in slides 299 which arehorizontally slidable longitudinally of the apparatus in guideways 39!in the pedestals 59. The roller is located at the rearward ends of theseslides. From the guide roll 29?! the paper passes under a pawl-typepaper stop or gripper 383 pivoted at its ends in the slides 299 forwardof the roll 29!. The paper extends over the platen 21! under the pads295, under the arms 289 and through the paper passage 285, under themold, under the blade 28!, and on to the apron 235. A long spring finger335 may be provided for holding the paper down against the platen 21!.As shown, this finger extends forward from the slides 299.

At is shown a lever for moving the slide 299 forward and rearward in itsguideways 33!. This lever is pivoted for rocking movement on a rod 309which is fixed at its ends in the pedestals 69. The rod 399 extendsthrough an elongate slot 3!! in the lever to permit the lever to belifted, as well as to permit the lever to rock. The lower end of thelever 353'! is forked as indicated at 3 !3 for engagement with a rod 3!5fixed at its ends in a U-shaped bracket 3!? which connects the twoslides 289 together. The arrangement is such that when the lever 38'!rocks clockwise from its position shown in Figs. 2 and 2-A, slides 299are moved rearward, and when it rocks counterclockwise, slides 299 aremoved forward.

The lever 30'! is biased to rock clockwise as viewed in Figs. 2, 2A and5 by a leaf spring 3l9. It is adapted to be rocked counterclockwise asviewed in Figs. 2, Z-A and 5 against the bias of the spring by a paperlength control screw 32! which is adjustably threaded in the carriage 63and which extend rearward therefrom above the rod 8?. Screw 32! isadapted to be locked in adjusted position by a lock nut 323. The screw32! is adjusted as to position so that, whenever the carriage isretracted, the screw engages the lever 39! before the carriage isstopped by the stop nut 83, and rocks the lever 30! counterclockwisefrom its Fig. 5 position to its Fig. 2 and Fig. 2-A position against thebias of the spring 3H5. This moves the slide 299 and the gripper 393forward, and the gripper advances the paper forward underneath the pads295 (which are raised at this time) a distance corresponding to theadjustment of the screw 32!, which is made such as to compensate for theincreased length of the sausages due to the meat expansion.

With the carriage 83 in the rearward position shown in Figs. 2 and 2*A,the platen 21! is retracted. The plungers 5 hold the abutment Hi rockedback against the bias of the spring H3, and the arms 289 are therebyrocked down so that the paper is clamped against the platen by the pads295 on the heads of the bolts 29!. When the plungers move the carriagebackward the further slight distance resulting from expansion of meat inthe mold cavities upon release of the member 95, the slides 299 areadvanced somewhat forward thereby to move the roll 29'! and the gripper393 forward. While this puts a slight bend in the paper (which isclamped to the platen at this time), this is of no concern as the bendis eliminated when the carriage moves forward. When the carriage ismoved forward to its advanced position, the paper is clamped to theplaten by the pads and a length of paper is pulled from the roll B. Thislength of paper will correspond to the length of the sausages that havebeen molded, including the extra portion of the length of the sausagesoccasioned by the allowance for expansion of meat in the mold cavities.When the carriage returns to its retracted position, the abutment movingaway from the cross bar !9, is rocked clockwise as viewed in Fig. 5 bythe spring H3, thereby to lift the paper clamp arms 289 and release thepaper. Thus, upon the return movement of the carriage, the paper is notmoved back, and is effectively prevented from moving back by the gripper393.

The knife 219 is mounted so as to be movable upward from a retractedposition wherein its cutting edge is below the upper surface of theplaten 21! into shearwise engagement with the fixed blade 28! to cut offthe length of the paper which extends over the apron 215. As shown, theknife is mounted at the forward end of a knife holder 32! pivoted at 329in brackets 33! fixed to the bottom of the platen. The knife holderextends forward from its pivotal axis, which extends transversely underthe platen. A stud 333 extends down from the platen through an opening335 in a cross bar 33'! of the knife holder. A coil spring 339 surroundsthe stud between the platen and the cross bar and another coil spring34! surrounds the stud between the cross bar and a head 343 at the lowerend of the stud. The springs normally maintain the holder and the knifein retracted position. Extending outward from the sides of the knifeholder at its forward end are diamond-shaped cam follower members 345.These ride up on diamond-shaped cams 34'! fixed on the insides of thesides of the U-shaped support 82 near the end of the forward movement ofthe platen, thereby to rock the knife holder and the knife upwardthrough a cutting stroke, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. Z-A.Upon the return movement of the platen, the cam followers 345 ride underthe fixed cams 347. The springs 399 and 34! permit this.

At 35! is shown the rearward end of an endless conveyor adapted toreceive sausages ejected from the mold cavities upon a piece of paper onthe apron 215, and carry away the sausages on the paper. This conveyoris mounted with the rearward end of its upper article-carrying reach,this reach travelling in the direction of the arrow shown in Figs. 2, 5and 6, just under the level of the apron, and so positioned as to beunder the apron when the platen is in its forward position. The conveyorextends in line with the dispensing apparatus, rather than crosswisethereof, and this is a very important feature to avoid any distortion ofthe sausages being ejected from the mold cavities. The member 82, asillustrated, is formed. with slotted ears 353 for receiving bolts 355 toattach the conveyor to the mold.

Operation is as follows:

At the start of a molding and dispensing cycle, the operating elementsof the apparatus are in their positions illustrated in Fig. 5. Thecarriage 63 is in its forward position, the plungers !5 are in theirforward position wherein their forward ends are at the forward face ofthe mold, and the cam shaft !55, which is rotating at this time, ishalfway through itsone-revolution cycle. The slide valve is in itslifted position, blocking slots 5!, the forward ends of cavities 3 beingfully open. The platen 21! is in its forward position. with the apron275 forward of the forward end of the mold, and above the rearward endof the conveyor 35!. Assuming that six sausages were molded in the moldcavities 3 in a preceding cycle of operation, these six sausages willhave been ejected from the cavities and will lie on a piece of paper onthe. apron, this piece of paper having been cut oif by the knife 2T9acting in conjunction with the blade 281.

The sausage stuffer' (not shown) supplies sausage meat under pressurethrough the stuifer cock (not shown), the pipe 31' and the fitting 28 tothe chamber 9. Preferably, the meat. is supplied at a temperature of 3.0F. to have a good consistency for molding, but not so cold that it willundesirably discolor upon ejection from the mold; With the slide valveII. in' its" lifted. position blocking the slots I,. the meat is simplymaintained in chamber *9 under pressure.

As the cam shaft I55 continues to rotate from its mid-position shown inFig. 5, the rise I85 of the carriage return cam IBI engages the camfollower roller II on the lever I29 and swings the levers I 29 and I3Iclockwiseas viewed in Fig. 5 positively to drive the carriage rearward.Plungers' I5, however, iemain in their forward position. Cain I6i drivesthe carriage rearward to the point where spring. I43 takes over,whereupon the spring effects completion of the rearward travel of thecarriage with a quick-return movement. valve actuating cams I63 engagethe upper cam follower rollers I on the levers I65, and rockthese'levers clockwise as viewed in Fig; 5. This drives the slide valvevI I downward to its lowered position. As the levers I65 rock clockwise,the roller I!!! carried thereby engages the rearward cam edge I05 andthen the cam edgev N3 of the finger IOI on the member 95, and moves themember 95', the block 89 and the rod 8! forward to the positionillustrated in Figs. 2 and 2-A. This advances the stop nut 83 to itsforward Fig. 2-A position, andthe carriage is held in an initialrearward position corresponding to this forward position of the stopnut.

Also, as the carriage 63 moves rearward; the platen 21!, which issecured: to the carriag moves rearward therewithto the position shown inFigs. 2 and 2-A. The apron 215 recedes to the position under the moldshown. inFigs. 2 and 2-A. -In the course of the return movement of thecarriage, the diamond-shaped cam follower members 345 ride under thefixed. diamondshaped earns 34?. As theapron recedesunder the. mold, thepiece of paper and the-sausages on the; apron slide off onto theconveyor, which carries the sausages on the piece of paper away from themold for packaging. It will be-understood that the conveyor may extendthe length of a packing table, and packers may simply remove thesausages on. the paper from the conveyor and pack them inboxes or in anyother suitable type of package.

As. the carriage moves rearward away from the cross bar it at therearward ends of the plungers I5, which remain in their Fig. 5 position,the abutment III is released so that it rocks clockwise under the biasof the spring I I3. This swings the arms 239 and the paper grippers 2B5upward to release the paper relative to the platen (see dotted positionFig. Z-A). With the paper stop or gripper 303 preventing the paper frommoving rearward as the platen moves rearward, the paper extending overtheplaten remains stationary even though the platen moves back, exceptfor the action of screw 32 I and lever 39'! to push forward the paperthe distance to compensate for meat expansion. Thus, when the platenreaches an initial retracted position, as determined by engagement ofthe carriage 63 with the stop nut. 83, an, end portion of the paper Therise portions I89 of the slide 14 corresponding in length to thedistance thecarriage and platen have travelled rearward, plus the.distance allowed for meat expansion extends from the edge of the knifeblade 28I forward over the apron 215.

With the valve I I moved to its lowered'Fig. 2-A mold-filling position(the valve also now acting as a head closing the forward ends of thecavities 3.) meat flows from chamber 9 through the slots 51 and thevalve cavity SI into the mold cavities at a rate dependent upon thesetting of the stuffer cock. The cock may be adjusted to vary this rateas desired. The higher the rate of flow of meat, the more rapid the rateof production of sausages. The meat entering through the forward ends ofthe mold cavities 3 forces the plungers I5 rearward. Since the plungersare tied together by the bar I9, they all move rearward together inunison. Also, since the carriage 63 is in its retracted position, theplungers can move rearward freely. The speed of rotation of the camshaft I55 is such that the onerevolution clutch through which the camshaft is driven disengages before the plungers are completely retracted,and the cam shaft is stopped with the cams in the angular position shownin Figs. 2 and 2-A. As previously mentioned, rotation of the cam shaftis stopped by the action of the finger 2223 coming into engagement withthe pawl lifting element 23'I and raising the pawl 223 out of engagementwith the ratchet 2 I I.

In the course of the rearward movement of the plungers i5 as they aredriven back by the meat, ultimately the switch-actuating screw 25'sengages the operating button 251 of the switch 253, and closes theswitch. This effects energization of the solenoid 24?, which in turneffects retraction. of the pawl-lifting element '23I from under thefinger 229. Thereupon the pawl 223 is biased by the spring 22'? intoengagement with the ratchet, and rotation of the cam shaft I55- throughanother revolution is re-instituted'. As the camshaft rotates. from itsat-rest position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 2-A, the initial effect isthe engagement of the rise portions I89 of the slide valve actuatingcams I63 with the lower cam follower rollers I'll. This rocks the leversI65 counterclockwise as viewed in Figs. 2 and 2-A and lifts the valvemember II. As the valve member is raised, it passes through anintermediate position wherein, while still blocking the forward ends ofthe mold cavities 3, it also blocks off the slots ill to cut ofi thesupply of meat through: the slots to the cavities. As the valve travelsthrough this position, it thus confines the meat in the chamber 9 andalso confines the meat in the cavities 3. Also, as the valve membertravels through this position, the roller I??? carried by the levers IE5is lifted out of engagement with the finger ibi, thereby releasing themember 95, the block 39, the rod 81, and the stopnut 83 on the rod 81for rearward movement. As soon as the finger Iill has been released, thepressure of the meat in the'mold cavities 3 (which re closed at theirforward ends by valve member II) efiects a further slight rearwardmovement of the plungers I5 to the extent determined by the pressure ofthe meat in the mold cavities, and this allowsthe carriage 63 to movefurther rearward to a final retracted position.

This additional rearward movement is completed i5 of pressure before thecavities are opened at their forward ends. This eliminates anypossibility of the pressure of the molded bodies of meat in the cavitiescausing an expansion of the meat out through the open forward ends ofthe cavities before the plungers i5 start to drive the molded bodies outof the cavities, thereby effectively avoiding the formation of anyundesirable bulbous ends at the forward ends of the molded bodies. Itwill be understood that if the mold cavities were opened before thepressure of the bodies of meat therein were relieved, pressure of themeat might cause an expansion of the meat out through the open ends ofthe cavities with the resultant formation of undesirable bulbous ends.Thus, perfectly formed sausages are molded in the cavities 3, the lengthof each sausage being equal to the total distance which the carriagemoved rearward (including the small rearward travel occurring upon meatexpansion).

Following the operation of the meat expansion control means, the riseI85 of the carriage advancing cam 459 comes into engagement with the camfollower roller I35. This rocks the levers I29 and I3! counterclockwisefrom their Fig. 2A position, and the levers H9 and i3! pull the carriageforward. As the carriage moves forward it drives the plungers forward toeject the molded bodies of meat from the mold cavities 5. Also, as thecarriage moves forward, pressure engagement is maintained between theabutment Hi and the cross bar 19 at the rearward ends of the plungers,and this maintains the arms 289 and the pads 295 carried thereby inpapergripping position. The result is that as the carriage movesforward, and as the platen Eli moves forward therewith, the paper isgripped between the pads 285 and the upper surface of the platen 2H, andis fed forward with the platen. It will be understood that the length ofthe sausages is equal to the sum of the distance the plungers moverearward prior to release of the meat expansion control element 95 andthe further distance which they move rearward in response to release ofthe meat expansion control element 95. The extra amount which the paperis pushed forward by the paper gripper 333 as the slides 299 are movedforward upon retraction of the carriage is in effect added onto thelength of r paper which is obtained simply by the rearward movement ofthe carriage. Otherwise, the length of paper which is fed forward mightbe somewhat shorter than the sausages which are ejected.

As the plungers are driven forward and eject the molded bodies ofsausage meat from the mold cavities 3, he platen 2H moves forward at thesame rate of speed as the plungers, and the apron 2T5 moves forward outfrom under the mold. The sausages being ejected from the mold cavities 3are deposited upon the forward end portion of the paper on the apronwhich is moving forward with the platen 2H. Here it will be recalledthat as the carriage 53 is moving forward, pressure engagement ismaintained between the abutment i H and the cross bar H9 at the rearwardend of the plungers l5 thereby to maintain the pads 235 gripping thepaper to the platen. As the carriage 63s and the platen 21! near theforward limit of their forward m0- tion, the diamond-shaped camfollowers 345 ride up on the diamond-shaped cams Ml, thereby raising theknife blade 219 and effecting shearing off of the forward end portion ofthe paper which extends over the apron against the 16 fixed blade 28LThe blade 28I is referred to as fixed because it is fixed to the platen.It will be noted that it moves with the platen. Ultimately, theoperating elements of the apparatus again reach the position illustratedin Fig. 5, and then another cycle of operation begins.

It will be seen that the cycling of the apparatus is entirely dependentupon the rate of flow of sausage meat from the sausage stuifer to themold, the faster the rate of flow of sausage, the faster the rate ofcycling. If the rate of flow of sausage meat is high, the less time ittakes for the plungers l5 to be pushed back from their forward positionsand the more rapid the cycling, and vice versa.

In View of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

I claim:

1. Dispensing apparatus for moldable material comprising a stationarymold having a plurality of cavities therein open at one end, plungersfreely slidable in the cavities, a stop located at the rear of thecavities engageable by the plungers for limiting rearward movement ofthe plungers away from the open ends of the cavities, a head associatedwith the mold mounted for movement between a position closing the openends of the cavities and an open position, means associated with themold having a passage for introducing moldable material from a supplyunder pressure into the cavities with the head closed to mold a body ofthe material in each cavity between the respective plunger and the head,said stop being mounted for movement in the direction of movement of theplungers, the plungers being movable rearward away from the open ends ofthe cavities by the moldable material introduced into the cavities untilthey engage the stop, means associated with the mold, the plungers andthe head for successively effecting cutting off of the supply ofmaterial to the cavities, movement of the head to open position, anddriving of the plungers forward from their retracted position to ejectthe molded bodies from the cavities, and means operatively associatedwith the stop and said moving means for releasably holding the stop in aforward position determining an initial retracted position of theplungers and acted upon by said headmoving means to release the stop forrearward movement from its forward position after cut-off of the supplyand before opening of the head.

2. Dispensing apparatus for moldable material comprising a stationarymold having a cavity therein open at one end, a plunger freely slidablein the cavity, a stop located at the rear of the cavity for limitingrearward movement of the plunger away from the open end of the cavity,mold-filling means associated with the mold at said open end having apassage for introducing moldable material from a supply under pressureinto the cavity throughits open end to moldabody of the material thereinunder pressure between the plunger and the mold-filling means, saidmold-filling means being mounted for movement between a mold-fillingposition against the mold at the open end of the cavity and a retractedposition unblocking the open end of the 17 cavity,.said.stop.beingmounted for movement in the direction of movement of the plunger, meansassociated with the mold-filling means and plunger. for movingtheinold-filling means to retracted position to cut oflf the supply ofmaterialand to unblock the open end of the cavity and then to drive theplunger r'orwardto eject the molded body from the cavity, and meansoperatively associated with the stop and said moving means forreleasably holding the stop in a forward position determining an initialretracted position of the plunger and acted upon by said moving means torelease the stop for rearward movement from its forward position aftercut of the supply and before unblocking of the open end of the cavity.

3. Dispensing apparatus for molda'ole material. comprising a stationarymold having a plura'lity of cavities therein open at one end,plungerslfreely slidable in cavities, a stop located at the rear of thecavities for limiting rearward movement of the plungers away from theopen ends of the cavities, mold-filling means associated with the moldat said open ends having a passage for introducing moldable materialfrom a supply under pressure into the cavities through their open endsto mold a body of the material under pressure in each cavity between therespective plunger and the mold-filling means, said'mold-iilling meansbeing mounted for movement between a mold-filling position against themold at the open ends of the cavities and a retracted positionunblocking the open ends oi the cavities, said stop being mounted formovement in the direction of movement of the plungers, the plungersbeing movable rearward away from the openends of the cavities by themoldable material introduced into the cavities until they engage thestop, means associated with the mold-filling means and plungers formoving the mold-filling means to retracted position to out off thesupply of material to the cavities and to rmblocl: the open ends or" thecavities and then to drive the plungers forward to eject the moldedbodies from the cavities, and means operatively associated with the stopsaid moving means for releasably holding the stop in a forward positioncletermining an initial retracted position of the plungers and actedupon by said moving means to release the stop for rearward movement fromits forward position after cut-off of the supply and before 'unblocizingof the open ends of the cavities.

t one plunger freely slidavity, a stop located at the rear of ngrearward movement of the open end of the cavity, a valve memberassociated with the mold and mounted for movement transversely acrossthe open end or" the cavity between a cavity-filling position and aretracted position unbloclring said end; said valve member having a portfor establishing communication from a source of moldable matcr a cavitywhen in. cavity-filling position there by to mold a 15/ of the materi..n the cavity under pressure not con the plunger and valve member, theva ve niber passing through intermediate p ion wherein saidcommunication. i'scut oi? while the open end of the cavity remainsblocked as it moves from its cavity fill ing, to i s retracted position,said stop being mountedifor. movement in the direction of movethercin o,

en able in the c the cavity for 1 the plunger away fr pressure to theopen end of the mentof the plunger, means having operative connection.with the valve member and plunger for moving the valve member to.retracted position and then driving. the plunger forward to eject themolded body from the cavity, and means operatively associated with thestop and said moving, means. forrelea'sably holding. the stop in aforward position determining an'initial retracted position ofthe'plunger and acted upon by said moving means. to release the stop forrearward movement fromits forward position as the valve member movesthrough its intermediate position in moving iromiitscavityilling to itsretracted position;

5. Dispensingrapparatus'for moldable material comprising a stationarymold having a plurality of. cavities therein open at one end, plungersfreely slidable in the cavities, a stop located at the rear of thecavities for limiting rearward movement or" the plungers' away from theopen ends of the cavities, a valve memberassociated with; the moldand'mounted for movement transversely across theopen. ends of thecavities between a cavity-filling position and a retracted positionunbloclcing said ends, said valve mom.- ber having a port forestablishing communication from a scurceof: moldable material underpressure to theopen ends of the cavities when in said cavity fillingposition thereby to moldqa body. of the material in each cavity underpressure between the. respective plunger and the valve member, said.valve member passing throughan intermediate position wherein saidcommunication is cut off while the open ends of, the cavities remainblocked asit moves from its cavity-filling to its retracted position,said'stop being mounted for movement in the direction of move ment ofthe plungers, the. rplungers being movable-rearward away from theopenends oi the cavities by. the moldabl'e material introduced into thecavities until they. engage the stop, means having operative connectionwith the valve member andlplungers for moving the valve member toretracted position and then driving the p-lungersforward t'ov ejectthemolded bodies from the cavities, and means operatively associated.

with the. stop and said. moving. means for releasably holding the stopin a forward position determining an initial. retracted position of the.plungers and" acted upon by said moving means to release the stop forrearward movement from its forward position as the'valve member movesthroughrits intermediate position in moving from its. cavity-filling, toits retracted position.

6; Dispensing apparatus, for moldable material comprisingastationarymold having a cavity extending completely therethrough from itsrearwardto itsforward end, a plunger freely slidable in the cavity, acarriage mounted for movement toward and. awayfrom the rearward end ofthe mold-and adapted to. drive the plunger forward the open end ofthe-cavity, said stop being mounted for movement forward and rearward,mechanism associated with the mold-filling means and carriage foreffecting operation of the apparatus through a cycle involving movementof the carriage to an initial retracted position determined by the stop,movement of the mold-filling means to mold-filling position to mold abody of the material in the cavity, the plunger being movable rearwardby the material introduced into the cavity until stopped by thecarriage, followed by movement of the mold-filling means to cut off thesupply of material from the cavity and to unblock the open end of thecavity, and driving forward of the carriage to drive the plunger forwardto eject the molded body from the cavity, and means operativelyassociated with said stop and said mechanism and controlled by saidmechanism for releasably holding the stop in a forward positiondetermining said initial retracted position of the carriage and actingto release the stop for rearward movement from its forward position,after cut-01f of the supply and before unblocking of the open end of thecavity.

'7. Dispensing apparatus for moldable material comprising a stationarymold having a cavity extending completely therethrough from its rearwardto its forward end, a plunger freely slidable in the cavity, a carriagemounted for movement toward and away from the rearward end of the moldand adapted to drive the plunger forward to eject a body of moldedmaterial from the cavity through its forward end, a stop locatedrearward of the carriage for limiting rearward movement of the carriage,a valve member associated with the mold and mounted for movementtransversely across the open end of the cavity between a cavity-fillingposition and a retracted position unblocking said end, said valve memberhaving a port for establishing communication from a source of moldablematerial under pressure to the open end of the cavity when in saidcavity-filling position thereby to mold a body of the material in thecavity under pressure between the plunger and valve member, the valvemember passing through an intermediate position wherein saidcommunication is cut off while the open end of the cavity remainsblocked as it moves from its cavity-filling to its retracted position,said stop being mounted for movement forward and rearward, mechanismassociated with the valve member and carriage for effecting operation ofthe apparatus through a cycle involving movement of the carriage to aninitial retracted position determined by the stop, movement of the valvemember to cavityfilling position to mold a body of the material in thecavity, the plunger being movable rearward by the material introducedinto the cavity until stopped by the carriage, followed by movement ofthe valve member to retracted position and driving forward of thecarriage to drive the plunger forward to eject the molded body from thecavity, and means operatively associated with said stop and saidmechanism and controlled by said mechanism for releasably holding thestop in a forward position determining said initial retracted positionof the carriage and acting to release the stop for rearward movementfrom its forward position as the valve member passes through its saidintermediate position.

8. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the saidmechanism is power driven and includes cam-controlled means operativelyassociated with the carriage, the mold-filling means and the stopholding means for effecting the retraction and driving forward of thecarriage, movement of the mold-filling means, and release of the stop inproper timed relation,

9. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said mechanismis power driven and includes cam-controlled means operativ-elyassociated with the carriage, the valve member and the stop holdin meansfor effecting the retraction and driving forward of the carriage,movement of the valve member, and release of the stop in proper timedrelation.

19. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the saidmechanism is power driven and includes cam-controlled means operativelyassociated with the carriage, the mo1d-fil1ing means and the stopholding means for effecting the retraction and driving forward of thecar riage, movement of the mold-filling means, and release of the stopin proper timed relation, and wherein the said cam-controlled meansincludes a cam shaft, a single-revolution clutch for driving the camshaft, and means responsive to movement of the plunger to a retractedposition as determined by its engagement with the retractecl carriagefor engaging the clutch for initiating revolution of the cam shaftthrough one revolution.

11. Dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim '1 wherein the saidmechanism is power driven and includes cam-controlled means operativelyassociated with the carriage, the valve member and the stop holdingmeans for effecting the retraction and driving forward of the carriage,movement of the valve member, and release of the stop in proper timedrelation, and wherein the said cam-controlled means includes a camshaft, a single-revolution clutch for drivin the cam shaft, and meansresponsive to movement of the plunger to a retracted position asdetermined by its engagement with the retracted carriage for engagingthe clutch for initiating revolution of the cam shaft through onerevolution.

12. Dispensing apparatus for moldable mater al comprising a stationarymold having a cavity extending completely therethrough from its rearwardto its forward end, a plunger freely slidable in said cavity limited inmovement away from the open end of the cavity, a slide valvereoiprocable transversely across the forward end of the mold across theforward end of the cavity between a cavity-fi ling position and aretracted position unblocking said end, said valve having a port forestablishing communication from a source of moldable material underpressure to the forward end of the cavity when in cavityfilling positionto mold a body of the material in the cavity, a carriage reciprocabietoward and away from the rearward end of the mold and adapted to drivethe plunger forward to eject a body of molded material from the cavitythrough its forward end, mechanism including a cam shaft carrying camsand operative connections between the cams and the carriage and valvefor effecting forward and rearward movement of the carriage and movementof the valve, a poweroperated drive for the cam shaft including aonerevolution clutch, and means associated with the plunger and clutchresponsive to movement of the plunger to a retracted position to engagethe clutch.

13. Dispensing apparatus for moldable material comprising a stationarymold having a cavit extending compeltely therethrough from its rearwardto its forward end, a plunger freely slidable in said cavity limited inmovement away 23 plunger thereby to allow for expansion of the body ofsausage meat in the cavity to relieve it of pressure, open the cavity,and then drive the plunger forward to eject the molded link from thecavity,

18. Apparatus for making skinless sausages of link sausage form,comprising a stationary mold having a mold cavity for molding sausagemeat into links, one link at a time, said cavity extending completelythrough the mold from its rearward to its forward end, a plunger freelyslidable in the cavity, a carriage movable toward and away from therearward end of the mold and adapted to drive the plunger forward toeject a sausage from the cavity through its forward end, a movable stoplocated rearward of the carriage for limiting rearward movement of thecarriage and hence limiting rearward movement of the plunger away fromthe forward end of the cavity, means associated with the stop releasablyholding the stop in an initial position determining an initial retractedposition of the carriage and the plunger wherein the forward end of theplunger is spaced from the forward end of the cavity a distance slightlyless than the final length of the link to be molded, means associatedwith the mold for closing the open end of the cavity and filling thcavity with sausage meat from a supply under pressure to mold a body ofsausage confined under pressure in the cavity between the plunger andthe closure at said end of the cavity, and means associated with theclosing and filling means, the release means and the carriage operativeupon completion of filling of the cavity sue cessively to cut off thesupply, actuate the release means for the stop to allow a slight furtherrearward movement of the carriage and plunger thereby to allow forexpansion of the body of sausage meat in the cavity to relieve it ofpressure, open the cavity, and then drive the carriage and plungerforward to eject the molded link from the cavity.

19. Apparatus for making skinless sausages of link sausage form,comprisig a stationary mold having a plurality of mold cavitiesextending horiaontally parallel to one another and. side-by-side formolding sausage meat into links, one link in each cavity at a time, saidcavities being open at one end, plunge-rs freely slidable in thecavities, a movable stop located at the rear of the cavities forlimiting rearward movement of the plungers away from the open end of thecavities, means associated with the stop releasably holding the stop inan initial position determining an initial retracted position of theplungers wherein their forward ends are spaced from the said ends of thecavities a distance slightly less than the final length. of the links tobe molded, means associated with the mold for closing the open ends ofthe cavities and filling the cavities with sausage meat under pressurefrom a source of supply under pressure to mold a body of sausageconfined under pressure in each cavity between the repec 've plunger andthe closure at said end of the cavities, means associated with theclosing and filling means, the release means and the plungers operativeupon completion of filling of the cavities successively to cut off thesupply, actuate the release means for the stop to allow a slight furtherrearward movement of the plungers thereby to allow for expansion of thebodies or sausage meat in the cavities to relieve them of pr ssure, openthe cavities, and then drive the lungers forward to eject the moldedlinks from cavities, and means movable forward with the plungers forfeeding the end portion of a strip of paper into position under thesausages being ejected and to cut off a piece of the paper correspondingin length to the length of the expanded bodies of sausage meat.

20. Apparatus for making skinless sausages of link sausage form,comprising a stationary mold having a plurality of elongate cylindricalmold cavities extending therethrough horizontally parallel to oneanother and side-by-side from the rearward to the forward end of themold, plungers freely slidable in the cavities and extending out of therearward ends of the cavities, said plungers having an advanced positionwherein their forward ends are at the forward end of the mold, acarriage mounted for movement in the direction of movement of theplungers toward and away from the rearward end of the mold and adaptedto engage and drive the plungers forward to their advanced position, astop located rearward of the carriage for limiting rearward movement ofthe carriage, said stop being mounted for movement in the direction ofmovement of the carriage, a valve member associated with the mold andmounted for movement vertically across the open ends of the cavitiesbetween a lowered cavity-filling position and a raised retractedposition unblocking the open ends of the cavities, said valve memberhaving a port for establishing communication from a source of sausagemeat under pressure to the open ends of the cavities when in saidlowered position, and passing through an intermediate position whereinsaid communication is cut off while the open ends of the cavities stillremain blocked as it is raised, means movable with the valve member andoperatively associated with the stop for holding the stop in a forwardposition determining an initial retracted position of the carriage andacting to release the stop for rearward movement as the valve memberpasses through its said intermediate position in being raised, andmechanism operatively associated with the carriage and valve member foreffecting operation of the apparatus through cycle involving: first,rearward movement of the carriage to said initial retracted position;second, movement of the valve member to its lowered cavity -fillingposition; third, filling of the cavities with sausage meat, the meatpushing the plungers re rward until they are stopped by the carriage;fourth, movement of the valve member to its lifted, retracted position,in the course of which the stop is released to allow the meat in thecavities to expand; and fifth, forward movement of the carriage to pushthe plungers for ward to their advanced position thereby to eject thesausages from the cavities.

21. Apparatus as set forth in claim 28, further comprising a platenmovable with the carriage under the mold adapted to extend forward romthe mold when the'carriage drives the plungers to their advancedposition, paper gripping means carried by the carriage adapted to grip astrip of paper against the platen upon for ward movement of the carriageto feed the paper forward, and to release the paper upon rearwardmovement of the carriage, cutting means under the mold operable uponmovement of the plungers to advanced position to out off the end portionof the paper, and means rearward of the mold operated by the carriageupon rearward movement thereof for feeding forward an additional lengthof the paper corresponding to the distance which the carriage movesrearward due to expansion of the meat.

22. Apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein said mechanism foreffecting operation of the apparatus through a cycle includes powerdriven means to set into operation in response to rearward movement ofthe plungers to their retracted position determined by engagement withthe carriage when the latter is in its said initial retracted position,and terminating in operation upon completion of rearward movement of thecarriage to its said initial retracted position and movement of thevalve member to its lowered cavity-filling position, the power meansbeing out of operation during the interval in which the meat is pushingthe plungers rearward.

23. In a dispensing apparatus for forming moldable material into moldedbodies and dispensing the molded bodies comprising a stationary moldhaving a mold cavity therein conforming to the desired shape for amolded body and being open at one end, this end constituting the forwardend of the cavity, means associated with the mold for introducingmoldable material from a supply under pressure into the cavity with itssaid forward end closed, a plunger freely slidable in the cavity andmovable rearward in the cavity by the material introduced into thecavity, mechanism associated with the mold and operable on said meansand on the plunger for successively effecting cutting ofi of the supplyof the material to the cavity, opening of the forward end of the cavity,and movement of the plunger forward toward the forward end of the cavityto eject a molded body from the cavity, said dispensing apparatus havinga stop located for engagement by the plunger for limiting the rearwardmovement of the plunger, said stop being mounted for movement to releasethe plunger, and a control for the stop actuated by said mechanism tohold the stop in a position determining an initial rearward position ofthe plunger while the cavity is being filled with material and torelease the stop to release the plunger for further rearward movementfrom its said initial rearward position after cutoff of the supply andbefore the forward end of the cavity is opened to allow the body ofmaterial in the cavity to expand rearward substantially to relieve it ofpressure before the forward end of the cavity is opened.

24. In a dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 23, said mechanismincluding power-driven means for operating the apparatus through a cycleinvolving, in succession, cutting off of the supply of material to thecavity, releaseof the stop to relieve a molded body in the cavity ofpressure, opening of the forward end of the cavity, forward movement ofthe plunger to eject the molded body from the cavity, and closure of theforward end of the cavity and introduction of moldable material into thecavity, and further including means actuated by the plunger in responseto movement thereof to its said initial rearward position by materialintroduced into the cavity for initiating operation of said powerdrivenmeans through a cycle, the power-driven means being out of operationduring the interval in which the material is pushing the plungerrearward.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 994,714 Boyle June 13, 1911 1,925,157 Vogt Sept. 5, 19331,942,582 Vogt Jan. 9, 1934 2,011,989 Vogt Aug. 20, 1935 2,013,610Karpiloff Sept. 3, 1935 2,299,314 Elesh et a1 Oct. 20, 1942 2,500,973Ackerman Mar. 21, 1950 2,528,234 Lilien Oct. 31, 1950 2,530,061 HollyNov. 14, 1950 2,530,062 Holly Nov. 14, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberCountry Date 293,638 Germany Aug. 21, 1916

